Verified against the official source 26 Sep 2026 · reviewed by Bhaskar Bhatt (a factual check against the official source, not a legal review or legal advice)What this label means
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Canada has 3 recorded AI policy instruments, none of them binding. Instruments on record: Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2017, strategy, adopted); Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (2022, bill, archived); Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems (2023, guidance).
The Pan-Canadian AI Strategy is Canada's national AI strategy, first funded in Budget 2017 with $125 million and delivered largely through CIFAR and three national AI institutes. The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) was proposed as Part 3 of Bill C-27 and would have required organisations designing, developing or deploying high-impact AI systems to assess and mitigate risks of harm and bias, keep records and publish information, with enforcement by an AI and Data Commissioner and penalties for serious offences. This voluntary code asks Canadian developers and managers of advanced generative AI systems to commit to measures under six principles: accountability, safety, fairness and equity, transparency, human oversight and monitoring, and validity and robustness.
What is the current regulatory status?
Instruments on record: Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2017, strategy, adopted); Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (2022, bill, archived); Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems (2023, guidance). Each is linked to its official source; human verification pending.
Binding rules versus guidance
Binding: none recorded. Strategy or guidance: Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (Part 3 of Bill C-27, Digital Charter Implementation Act, 2022)
The Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (AIDA) was proposed as Part 3 of Bill C-27 and would have required organisations designing, developing or deploying high-impact AI systems to assess and mitigate risks of harm and bias, keep records and publish information, with enforcement by an AI and Data Commissioner and penalties for serious offences. The bill passed second reading in the House of Commons in April 2023 and was studied in committee through 2024 but never advanced to report stage. It lapsed when the 44th Parliament ended in early 2025 without the bill being passed.
Adopted 16 Jun 2022Verified (reviewed by Bhaskar Bhatt; a factual check against the official source, not a legal review)Official source
The Pan-Canadian AI Strategy is Canada's national AI strategy, first funded in Budget 2017 with $125 million and delivered largely through CIFAR and three national AI institutes. A second phase from 2021 added funding for commercialisation, standards and computing capacity, with further support in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement. It focuses on attracting and retaining researchers, translating research into industry adoption and promoting responsible AI.
Adopted 22 Mar 2017Verified (reviewed by Bhaskar Bhatt; a factual check against the official source, not a legal review)Official source
This voluntary code asks Canadian developers and managers of advanced generative AI systems to commit to measures under six principles: accountability, safety, fairness and equity, transparency, human oversight and monitoring, and validity and robustness. Obligations are scaled according to whether a system is made available for general public use. It was introduced as a bridge while the Artificial Intelligence and Data Act was before Parliament, and lists around fifty signatory organisations.
Adopted 27 Sep 2023Verified (reviewed by Bhaskar Bhatt; a factual check against the official source, not a legal review)Official source
Which states in Canada have their own AI laws and policies?
5 instruments on record from 4 of Canada's sub-national jurisdictions. Each applies only within its own territory.
Sub-national AI laws and policies recorded for Canada
No future deadlines are recorded for Canada; past milestones are listed on each policy page. New dates reach the calendar feed: Canada feed · how it works
@misc{aipolicytracker2026_airegulationincanada,
author = {{AIPolicyTracker}},
title = {{AI regulation in Canada}},
year = {2026},
howpublished = {\url{https://aipolicytracker.org/ai-regulation-canada}},
url = {https://aipolicytracker.org/ai-regulation-canada},
urldate = {2026-11-12},
note = {Data licensed CC BY 4.0. Accessed 12 November 2026}
}
Frequently asked questions
Does Canada have an AI law?
No binding AI-specific law is recorded for Canada. The instruments recorded are non-binding: strategies, guidance or standards.
What is the status of AI regulation in Canada?
Instruments on record: Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2017, strategy, adopted); Artificial Intelligence and Data Act (2022, bill, archived); Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems (2023, guidance). Each is linked to its official source; human verification pending.
What is binding and what is only guidance in Canada?
Binding: none recorded. Strategy or guidance: Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy, Artificial Intelligence and Data Act, Voluntary Code of Conduct on the Responsible Development and Management of Advanced Generative AI Systems.
Is there a federal AI law in Canada?
No binding national AI instrument is recorded for Canada; the rules on record come from individual states.
Which states in Canada have AI laws?
4 of the 4 states recorded here have a binding AI instrument adopted or in force: Alberta (Alberta government AI usage policy); British Columbia (British Columbia public service generative AI policy); Ontario (Ontario Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act, 2024 (Bill 194), Ontario Working for Workers Four Act (AI disclosure in job postings)); Quebec (Quebec Law 25 (automated decisions and biometrics)). Coverage of states is still growing; the coverage page lists what is missing.
Disclaimer: informational only, not legal advice. Verify every claim against the linked official sources and consult a qualified lawyer before acting.
